Yes, they can, but only if the tree has not been exposed to harmful chemicals or pesticides.
As grazing animals, rabbits love to chew on leaves and nibble barks.
Due to this, they may attempt to get a taste of pretty much any plant species they see, like the Christmas tree during the holiday season.
You can allow your little bunny to work on a Christmas tree. However, then you must be sure that it’s not been sprayed with any chemical solutions.
Christmas Trees and Rabbits
A Christmas tree or fir is perfectly safe for consumption in its raw or natural state.
However, when it gets exposed to chemicals to repel critters and increase its longevity, it becomes toxic.
As a result, if bunnies eat such a plant, they can develop health problems or even die in some cases.
Therefore, you must be careful when the Santa season is around the corner and you get busy decorating your home with Christmas-y things.
In other words, your little fur child would like nothing more than to take a few bites of the massive fir tree in your living area, but doing so is not good for them.
Most Christmas trees sold today are smeared with pesticides and other caustic chemicals to prevent insects from breeding, the pine becomes inconsumable.
Of course, you rabbit can still whittle it; however, they shouldn’t.
This means you should be on high alert during the holidays to make sure your pet doesn’t get close to the Christmas tree in your living room.
That said, doing so is certainly not so easy. Keeping your furry friend under strict supervision at all times may not be possible.
So, it’s best to isolate the tree or your pet using a playpen fence. You can also use a small tree that you keep on a high table or shelf so that your hopping pal cannot get to it.
Also read: Do Rabbits Eat Tomato Plants?
Can You Wash Away The Chemicals On A Christmas Tree?
One common response is washing the bark to rinse away the harsh elements. However, that doesn’t work.
Once a Christmas tree has been sprayed with a pesticide or harmful substance, it cannot be restored. Even if you wash the plant, you cannot be sure that it has become safe for your pet’s snacking.
This also means that leaving your fir out to let the rain wash it is not going to work.
Therefore, unless you are certain that the tree you bought is chemical-free, don’t let your pet near it. However, doing so is easier said than done.
As already mentioned, most Christmas trees sold in this day and age are drenched in really potent compounds to keep them fresh and free of tiny arthropods.
Due to this, finding a clean pine is highly unlikely. However, if you know someone personally who supplies Christmas trees, you can ask them to keep one clean for you.
Or, if possible, cut your own fir in the woods; that way, you can ensure that no harmful elements are on it.
Let’s assume for a minute you get your hands on a fresh Christmas tree that your bunny can chew.
In that case, you must hang the ornaments towards the top so that your rabbit cannot get to those because if they do, they might swallow one or two.
Christmas ornaments are serious choking hazards for not just kids but also animals. If you have a pet, regardless of what it is, you should keep it away from your Christmas fir.
Besides a regular Christmas tree, the holiday season brings in a lot of plants into our homes, such as mistletoe, ivy, poinsettia plants, and holly.
Out of all these species, only poinsettia plants are non-toxic.
The others may or may not be, which is why having those around during the festive time might not be the best idea if you have a pet bunny.
It is worth noticing that poinsettia plants are often considered to be poisonous, but they are not, therefore, you can keep them in your home around Christmas.
Are Artificial Plants Safe For Bunnies?
The answer to this question is not that simple as many variables are involved in the equation, such as the type of plants, the manufacturers, etc.
Simply put, you may find some safe, non-toxic faux plants on the market that won’t harm your bunny.
On the other hand, you may also end up buying toxic fake plants that would affect your bunny’s health.
So, perhaps the best thing for you would be not to have artificial plants around when you know your little rabbit can come any time hopping around, ready to chew the faux greenery.
What’s more is that even when artificial plants are not toxic, they can be a choking hazard for your bunny.
Therefore, it’s better not to keep any of those in the house when you own a pet rabbit.
Besides Toxicity, How Can A Christmas Tree Harm Bunnies?
Christmas trees are decorated with ornaments, lights, and many other tiny items that a pet may try to swallow and end up choking.
Lights
Who doesn’t like to light up their Christmas fir in string lights? Nobody!
However, if you have a bunny friend at home, you might want to be careful about how you hang lights from your Christmas tree.
If you have a spirited hopper, you should consider putting the lights high towards the top so that your bunny cannot get to those.
Also, be sure to tie in the chords securely; otherwise, your pet may chew them and get electrocuted.
Christmas Baubles
Christmas baubles can be incredibly dangerous for a bunny because they have a ball dangling at the bottom, which can come loose if pressured.
This means your fuzzy child might pull at an ornament, dismantle it and then eat a part or two.
Ribbons and Other Decorations
Ribbons and little trinkets are also harmful to bunnies as they can easily come off the Christmas tree and end up in your little one’s mouth, which you don’t want.
To put everything concisely, keep your Christmas pine and all the ornaments off-limits for your adorable bun.
How To Bunny Proof Your Christmas Preps And Décor?
Just like baby proofing, bunny proofing is a popular concept now and a very helpful one at that!
Bunny proofing your Christmas celebration area is critical since bunnies can be quite mischievous and start chewing on every attractive bit of decorations.
Here is how you can do it.
- Draw a fence around your tree. Be sure it’s tall enough to keep your bunny out. If not, you little fellow may make their way inside the barriers through relentless hopping.
- Keep your bunny in a separate room.
- Place your Christmas tree on a high table.
- This may sound a little absurd but hanging your Christmas tree from the ceiling is also an option that you can try to keep your bunny safe. Of course, in that case, you will have to settle on a much smaller plant.
Ending Note
While bunnies can eat Christmas trees, they shouldn’t; otherwise, they might develop health issues as most Christmas plants are covered in fire hydrants and insect repellents.
If you want to keep the Christmas spirit alive and ensure that your rabbit is safe, look for a natural fir that’s not been exposed to any chemicals.
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